Evening Star Newspaper, October 2, 1895, Page 1

THE EVENING STAR. PUBLISHED DAILY EXCEPT SUNDAY AT THE STAR BUILDINGS, 1101 Pennsylvania Avenze, Gor. 11th Street, by Evening Star Newspaper Company, 8. H. KAUFFMANN, Pres't. New Yor! Office, 49 Potter Building, The Evening Star is served to subscriliers in the elty by t 10 cent! riers, on their own accoun' ml vents each, 'y mal where in the cited States or Canada—postage prepald—60 cenis ber month. turday Quintupl+ Sheet Star, $1 per year, with foreign postage added, $3.00, Entered at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., as eccond-class it matter.) &F Ali mall subscriptions must be paid in advance. Rates of advertising made known on application. | No. 13,285." ng Star. WASHINGTON, D.C., WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1895—-TWELVE PAGES. TWO CENTS. If you want today’s news today you can find it only in The Star. INTO GEORGETOWN |O&aT# OF wi. HALL SLACK BROOKLYN AFLOAT Southern Connection of the B. and 0, Assured. ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS’ PERMIT a The Barge and Dock Company's Charter at Issue. TRACKS ON WATER STREET —- The chances are that within a short . time-the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com- pany will have a complete southern con- nection and an entrance into Georgetown. ‘This morning the first steps in that Grection were taken, when the officials of the Ealtimore and Obto railroad appear- ed before the Commissicners, in company with President Edward J. Stellwagen of the Georgetown ‘Barge, Dock and Elevator Railroad Company, to urge the granting of the application of the latter for permis- sion, In accordance with {ts charter, to lay a double track on Water street. The real Meaning of the application is to give the Haltimore and Ohio railroad a direct con- nection with the Washitgton and Western Miuryland railroad, which in turn connects with the Southern Metropolitan of the same system, thereby insuring a southerm connection for the Baltimcre and Ohio and. an entrance into Georgetown. . The real purpose of the application was hidden. The paper simply set forth that the Geargetow Barge, Deck and Elevator Railroad Company desired permission to lay a double track through and along Wa- ter street in West Washington, beginning at a point on the west side of the Aque- duct bridge, and running along said Water street under said bridge to the eustern ter- minus of said Water street at Rock creek. Mr. George E. Hamilton, attorney for the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, presented the application. He said the charter of the company permitted the use of a dou- ble track along Water street. Work would mence as soon as the permit was is- Engineer Manning stated it would require from two to four weeks to com- plete the work. ‘There were present President Edward J. Steliwagen of the Georgetown Barge, Dock and Elevator railroad, General Agent Wil- iam Alvey of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, Mr. George E. Hamilton, attorney for the Faltimore and Ohio railroad, and Messrs. P. H. Irving and W. 'f. Manning, engineers of the Buitimore and Ohio rail- read. The Commissioners will consider the application. BIANS AND CAIRNES ON TRIAL. Arraignment of the Bultimore Elec- tion Supervisors. Special Dispatch to The Evening Star. BALTIMORE, Md., October 2—The trial of the democratic supervisors of election, Bians and Cairnes, against whom charges of fraud have been preferred by the Re- form League, was begun in Sutro Hall this morning. The trial is attracting the most widespread attention among politicians of both parties, and the outcome is the sub- ject of general speculation at both head- quarters. : Sutro Hall was crowded to suffocation when the trial opened. The testimony re- vealed an instance where Messrs. Bians and Cairnes had appointed us a republican regisier a man who not only was an out- and-out democrat, but who was an ex-con- vict, and of this’ fact they had been ap- prised by Police Marshal Fry prior to the appointment. Gov. Brown presided at the trial. The Reform Lezgue was represented by Cel. Charles Marshall and Mr. Edgar H. Gans, and Mr. Bernard Carter and City Solicitor Bryan appeared for the supervisors. The members of the league attended’ in a body. The case will probably not be concluded before tonight. The fight among the republicans over tho nemination fer mayor ts srowing hotter, and some sharp encounters are looked for when the convention meets tomorrow. Re- publican leaders today are asse the nomination will he off A. Hanway, a prominen: dealer, who was a former independent, but is now a republican. The republican leaders are unwilling to consider the nomination of Malster or Creager, because the Sun and the News, democratic allies of the republican state ticket, refuse to support these gentlemen, and the leaders want to put a man in noi {nation who will be acceptable to thes Papers. Col. Hanway, it is thought, will accept, If nominated. The Malster men intend to make a fight, however, and last night, after midnight, 1 gates held a caucus and pledged them- to vote for Malster. As there are delegates to the convention this would give them the victory. Malster men ridicule this claim, tif Malster gets fifty votes he er himself lucky. The democratic primaries are in progress today, and while the indications are that Mr. Henry Williams will win, there has been a perceptible boom for Mayor La- trobe’s renomination, and there is a pos- sibility that the nomination may go to him, The primaries have, with the exception of the eighth ward, where there Is a contest between two wings. been uneventful. Sen- ater Gorman and the democratic leaders are again in conference today. a See SPAIN AND JAPAN. They rk Their Respective Terri- tory In the Pacific. SAN FRANCISCO, October 2.—As a result of the conferences that have been held be- tween the acting Japanese minister of for- eign affairs and the newly arrived minister ef Spain, a deciaration has been agreed upon, says the Japanese Mail, defining the limits of boundary between the territories of Japan and Spain in the western Pacific. The terms of the declaration are that: First—A line parallel to a latitude pass- ing through the middle of the navigable he Bashee channel shall, under the larations, mark the boundary ories of Japan and Spain art of the Pacifle. rnment of Spain declares jay claim to the Islands lying to the north and northeast of the mentioned boundary line. Third—The government of Japan declares that it shall never lay claim to the islands lying to the southwest of the above men- tioned boundary line. SS IN FULL SWING. Now Exhibits In Shape at Atlanta and the City Ready for Visitors. ATLANTA, Ga., October 2.—The exposi- tion is now in full swing, the exhibits are y has made the ar- ry for the comfort of visitors. Rzports to the committee on pub- lic comfort :how that at the hotels rates to $5 per day on the 5 cents to $5 day on the uropcan plan. Many privat houses, however, are open to the publi and in the best parts of the city there are hundreds of rooms in private houses to be had a day, some of these rn ng located on Peachtree street, shionable thoroughfare of Atlant Railroad facilities are adequate, and spe- cial rates are given to the exposition, while for such extras as shaving the price no- where exceeds 15 cents. A Well-Known Society Leader Passes Away. Formerly an Officer t the Navy— Prominent in Many Social Functions Herc. A telegram received In this city today announged the death at Beach Haven, N. J., last’ evening of Mr. Wm. Hall Slack, well known in Washington. No particulars have as yet been received beyond the fact that the funeral will take place in Balti- more on Friday, and that the interment will be made at Rosemount cemetery. Mr. Slack was one of the most popular men in Washington, and few enjoyed such a wide circle of friends. He was best known to the public as a social leader, and after the death of Dr. Melancthon Ruth he was easily to the fore in all matters social. He was a handsome man, with remarkable tact, and endowed with the faculty of mak- ing himself liked. There have been few social functions in this city in the last dozen years in which “Willie” Slack did not figure prominently. He was a member of the board of gov- ernors of the Washington Assembly, active at the annual charity ball, and at the Jast inaugural ball was in charge of the com- mittee on dancing. He was sometimes call- ed the Ward McAllister of Washington, but he was a gvod deal more than a mere so- clal figure. At the time of his death Mr. Slack was about forty-five years of age. He was a son of Maj. Wm. B. Slack of the United States marine corps. His mother is dead. Before her marriage she was a Miss Hall. Mr. Slack had always made his home in this city. He was educated at the Emerson Institute, and entered the Naval Academy in the class of ‘71. While at the academy he distinguished himself on the oczasion of a fire, when he was instrumental in saving a great deal of government prop- erty. He was a popular man in the navy and spent a good part of his time on the Euro- pean station. On account of his fine ap- pearance and social qualities he was fre- quently assigned to such pleasant billets as aid to the admiral and other duties of a similar nature. . 1881, to Miss He was married September Mary Kemble of Geneseo, N. Y. She was a S 7 S AIS N young woman of considerable means, and they spent some time traveling abroad. In July, 1883, h2 resigned as master in the then had lived almost con- i navy, ard sin stantly in this city. The marriage, which promised so well at first, did not turn out happily, and only last week his friends and Washington society generally were shocked to hear that his wife had brought suit against her husband, asking for alimony. In her bill filed at the time she charged that he had used her money for his own support, and had treated her badly. They had two daughters, aged respectively nine and seven years. The friends of the family had known for some time that all was not as it should be with the Slacks, but it was hoped the differences could be healed with- out an open breach. Mr. Slack was a prom‘- nent member of the Metropolitan Club, and the news of his death has caused a great deal of genuine regret in that organization. 8 x ———_—_- PAYMENT OF TAXES. The Time Limit and Some Public Errors, “There seems to be a generai misunder- standing regarding the payment of the N®- vember taxes,” said Assessor Trimble to a reporter of The Star today. “Some time ag) in an interview with me, The Star published, I was quoted as saying that it would be a physical impossibility to com- plete the new assessment by January next, the time provided by law, and that Con- gress would be asked to extend the time. Although there was nothing in the inter- view to warrant it, many have erroneous- ly inerpreted the ‘proposed extension of time to mean a postponement of the col- lection of taxes for November until next May, as was the case last year. If the time for the return of the new assessment should be postponed, its only effect would be to postpone the payment of taxes due in November, 1896, until May, 1897, there- by making the taxes for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1897, due and payable in one installment, namely, in May, 1897." “Do you believe there will be any mater- fal change in values in the new assess- ment?” “y sor, asked the reporter. m unable to say,” replied the asses- ‘I hope there will be an equitable ad- ‘ment of values. That our taxpayers will get some substantial relief from the burdens of our present assessment, which in many cases Is oppressive, full of glar- ing Inequalities and gross errors in the estimation of values. I have had many complain to me that their property was assessed for taxation for a higher valua- tion than they were willing and anxious to sell it for. I am satisfied that many of these complaints are well founded, and hnce I hope the remedy will be adminis- tered as soon as possible.” —— PHYSICL S$ TO THE POOR. Examinations Will Be Held by the aa Medical Board. Saturday morning, October 5, at 10 o'clock, the board of medical examiners will conduct the examinations for the Positions of physicians to the The examinations will be held at the Central High School, 7th and O streets—that is, the written examinations willbe held there. The oral examinations will be held at the different offices of the examining boards. All examinations will be in charge of Dr. W. T. Carr, who was selected by the Commissioners as president of the board. The other members of the board are Drs. J. R. Nevitt, J. Wesley Bo- vee and Austin O'Malley. Dr. Carr will examine in physiology and anatomy. Dr. Bovee will examine in obstetrics and gyne- cology. Dr. Nevitt will examine In materia medica, therapuetics, chemistry and hy- giene. In the absence of Dr. O'Malley, Dr. Boss will conduct the examinations in practice. There will be ten vacancies on the 15th of December, which will be filled by the successful ones im this examination. poor. Ss Bicyele Academy Burned. BROOKLYN, N. Y., October 2—The Gor- mully & Jeffery Manufacturing Company's bicycle academy on Flatbush avenue, near the Willinck entrance to Prospect Pari, Brookiyn, was destroyed by fire today. Loss on building and stock, $65,000. ago Big Money for an Imagination. A little exercise of your finaginatioy may be worth five hundred dollars in gohi to you. Read the particulars in another column of The Star’s great mystery story, “When the War Was Oyer,” by Frederick R. Burton. Another Cruiser Added to the Ameri- can Navy. SUCCESSFUL AFFAIR AT THE CRAMPS’ A Large Delegation From the City of Churches. MISS SCHIEREN CHRISTENS IT — PHILADELPHIA, October 2.—The United States crulser Brooklyn was launched at 108. The vessel passed from the ways without a hitch at Cramps’ yard. Miss Ida May Schiecren, daughter of the mayor of the City from which the mammoth vessel takes its name, broke the traditional bot- tle of American champagne on the cruis- er’s bow, and murmured: “I christen thee Brooklyn.”” Although some disappointment was felt at the absence of Secretary of the Navy Herbert, who was unable to attend, the event was crowned with success. It was a fete day in Kensington, as it invariably is on such occasions, and when the gates of the big yard were thrown open to the pub- lic shortly before noon, an immense crowd surged in to witness the baptism of the latest addition to the fleet of old glory’s defenders. On the christening stand was a distin- guished party, the conspicuous figures of which were Assistant Secretary of the Navy McAdoo and Mayor Schieren of Brookiyn. The others in the group were Pestmaster General Wilson and Miss Wil- scn, Attorney General Harmon, with Mrs. and Miss Harmon, Rear Admiral Ramsay, Mrs. and Miss Ramsay, Capt. and Mrs. Sampson, Paymaster General Stewart and Mrs. Stewart, Commodore Melville, Chief Naval Constructor Hichborn, with Mrs. and Miss Hichborn, Capt. R. D. Evans, Com- mcdore and Mrs. McNair, Commodore and Mrs. Howell, Chief Clerk Micou and Mr: Micou. This’ party left Washington at 7:50 o'clock this morning in a special train of the Pennsylvania railroad. There .was also a delegation of Brook- lynites in recognition of the honor accord- Sere oui alldine company and the muni- cipal goverment was represented by promi- nent parties. The Launching. The bracing October weather was per- fect, and with the animation on the stand and the vast crowds in the yard below gave brilliancy to the scene. Grouped about the wharves and dotting the river for miles around were ‘craft ofe every description, from local excursion boats to foreign steamer. Jt was a half hour past noon when ihe last shores were knocked from the ways and the colossal \essel tegan her brief journey. Swinging aloft the wine bottle, which was clothed with the stars and stripes, Miss Schieren crashed it against the steel bow and uttered the christening words. Then, as the marine monster glided gracefully down the greased cradle, the enthusiasm found vent. The crowds in the yard roared and screamed; the party on the christening stand waved hats and cheered, and the oats on the river let leose their ear-splitting whistles. Mean- while, the Brooklyn had taken her maiden dip in the middle of the stream, where her ‘anchors were dropped, and she came to a halt. Another of the monster flag de-_ fenders had been successfully launched. ‘After these impressive ceremonies, lunch- eon was served in the mold loft, and a number of felicitous speeches made, among the speakers being Mayor Schieren of Brooklyn, Assistant Secretary McAdoo, Mayor Warwick and the Messrs. Cramp. Marvel in Marine Architecture. The Brooklyn is regarded by naval ex- perts as a marvel in the art of marine architecture. She is classed as a steel armored cruiser, having four cight-inch barbette currets. Her cost, exclusive of armanent, ts $2,986,000. The principal dimensions of the Brooklyn are: Length on the load water line, 400.50 feet; beam, extreme, 64.68 feet; draught, mean nermal, 24 fect; displacement, nor- mal, 9,271 tons; Indicated horse power, 16,000; speed in ‘knots per hour, 24; total coal capacity, 1,753 tons; coal carried, nor- mal displacement, 00 tons. The same imensions of the New York are, respec- tively, 380.65 feet, 64.10 feet, 23.35 feet, 8,200 tons, 9,000, 211,290 tons, 750 tons. The Brooklyn will have twin screws. There will be four engines of the vertical triplet expansion type, tw> on each shaft, located in four separate compartments. There are seven _hollers, placed in three compartments. Five of these are of the double-ended type, and two of the single ended. The hull fs of steel, not sheathed, with double bottom and a close water- tight subdivision, running to about twelve feet above the water line. The Ship's Battery. Tke ship's battery will consist of eight eight-Inch breech-loading rifles of thirty- five caliber; twelve five-inch breech-loading rifles of the rapid-fire type; twelve six- pounder rapid-fire guns; four one-pounder rapid-fire guns, and four machine guns. The eight-inch guns will be mounted In four bar- bette turrets, placed one forward and one aft on the center line, and one on either side of the vessel amidships. The guns in the turrets on the center line are to have a train of 310 degrees. Those in the side turrets can fire from right ahead _to right astern or train through an arc 6f 180 degrees each. ‘Phe center of the side turrets will be dis- tant from the center iine of the vessel about twenty-three feet. The armor forming the barbettes, which will protect the Carriages, platform and turret machines, will be eight inches in thickness for a-portion equivalent to the train of guns of the respective turrets. The remaining portions may be reduced to four inches thickness. Under the turrets will be placed three-inch armor-supporting tubes, which will protect the ammunition hoists. : The armors of the turrets will te five and a half inches in thickness. The guns will be so mounted that they can be supplied with am- munition and loaded at any position of the train. She will have no side armor. Protection to the hull will be given by a steel protective deck, worked from stem to stern, and sup- ported by heavy beams. The bottom edges of this deck amidships are to be five feet six inches below the twenty-four-foot water- line, the top of the deck rising to the water- line at the center of the vessel. On the slopes of the deck over the machinery and boilers the thickness of the armor will be six inches, on the horizontal portions three inches forward and abaft the machinery and boilers, to the stem and stern, respectively, the deck will be at the thinnest part at least two and one-half inches in thickness. Be- low this deck are to be placed the propelling machinery, steering gear, magazine, shell room and all that is ordinarily styled the vitals of a warship. Protection of the hull from injury to the water line region will be afforded by means of an armor belt three inches in thicknes: xtending the length of the ma- >) Tater seace, and in depth from for feet ahove the twenty-four-foot water Hine to four feet three inches below that line. ecbon to the smaller guns and their ceews will be afforded by an extra side plating at the openings and shields. Concentrating Fire. By the arrangement of the battery it is possible to concentrate six eight-inch guns ahead, astern or abeam, as opposed to four t ahead, astern or abeam in the case of the New. York. Moreover, the axis of the gun in the forward turrets is more than cight feet higher than that of the corresponding guns of the New York, enabling them ta be fought in alinost any weather, and giv- ing them a great adyantage in’ plunging fire, in the event of fighting at close range. The Brooklyn will have five torpedo tubes, one in the bow and two on each side. Six torpedoes anda suitable allowance of gun cotton for mines and other naval pur- poses will be carried on the ship. As a protection agairst hostile torpedoes she will have heavy wire nettings carried out from the bow, stern and sides by strong booms. i Distilling apparatus and evaporators will be filled for frest water supply, the al- lowance of water to be carried to be suffi- cient for fifteen days’ steaming, besides the quantity for sanitéry’purposes. There will be an electric lighting plaut, consisting of two divisions, eac division having an en- gine and dynamo, and each dynamo having a rated output of 400 amperes at 80 volts. ‘The ship will have a radius of action, at full speed, of 1,738 knots, and a radius of action at ten knots' of 6,088 knots. The complement of officers and men will be 561 persons. IF, MAHONE SHOULD DIE How Such an Event Would Affect Virginia Politics, The Noted Leader Said to Hnve Been Planning to Sectire a Restorna- tion of Power. The death of Mahone at this time would be regarded by those’ who are familiar w.th ‘Virginia politics as a severe blow to the republicans in ‘that state. For some years, since Mahone lost his control of Virginia, which he held for but a very Lrief period, he has not been regarded by the demccrats as a ‘dangerous adversary. In fact, after he went out of the Senate, his control of the republican party of the state was regarded as a benefit to the democrats, for the reason that the cry of “Mahoneism” was enough to bring the Gemocrats together and make them fight, hewever great might be their differences. Moreover, the republicans became divided into Mahone and anti-Mahone factions, and his power in the state served only to keep the party divided, to the great ad- vantage of the democrats. His death, if he d.es, may remove. the cause of the division among the Virginia republicans, and it will leave them without a leader capable of dealing with the democratic leaders of that state. He was the shrewd- cst and most skillful organizer the repub- hears had in that section of the country, and it is said now that he was about set- tling the differences within his party, and had planned a fight for the next’ two years which gave promige of republican success. It was believed by him, and ac- knowledgced by some of the leading demo- crats in Virgmia, that the present situa- tion offered to him the, opportunity he has been waiting for to restore himself and his party to power in Virginia. ‘The demo- erats there, as they are-in Kentucky, are divided on the money question. The ad- ministration and atiti-admmistration demo- crats ure bitter towaid@each other. Hard times has been felt severely throughout the state and caased dissatisfaction with the pewers that are in; and there is sald to be a growing seatiment in favor of protection. These conditions, together with some local questions, were regarded as favorable to Mahone’s plans,,and it is said that he was planning for a campaign, which he ex- pected te result in his complete restoration to power. 2+ NO MOKE SKILLED LABOR. One Eligible List That is About Full Enough. The civil service commission is today in- quiring into the attainments—scholastic, practical and otherwise—of fifty-cight very bright-looking young people, who wish to cnter government employ. Their applica- tions cover a wide diversity of employment. They are as follows: For fourth assistant examiners, patent office, 14; special ex- aminers, pension office, 8; fish culturist, Uniu States commission of fish and fish- physician, Indian service, 5; teach- ers, Indian service, 7; niatrons, Indian sei messenger boys, departmental sei 3 bookkeepers, departmental service, ich and German, 1; tagger and stock examiner, Department of Agriculture, 1; ass.stant observer, Department of Agricul- ture, 1. Yesterday ninety-three applicants for skilled labor in the government printing office were examined. Phey were to fill the positions of feeders, counters, sewers and folders. Examinations for this class of places wil be held agafn Monday and Sat- urday, but no more applications will be re- ceived. The time for receiving such appli- cations closed last Saturday n.ght. ‘The commission hag an eligible list equal to, if not in excess Of, all possible demands to be made upon it by the public printer this season. ° Army Orders. Lieut. Jas. L. Wilson, fourth artillery, has been detached from duty as purchasing commirsary of subsistence at Baltimore and ordered to return to his proper station. Lieut. Ernest Hinds, second artillery, has keen orderd to duty with battery K ut Fort ‘Trumbull, Conn. Leaves of absence haye been granted as follows: Capt. Harry Eb, Haskell, twelfth infantry, one month's extension; Lieut. G. W.Ruthers, eighth infantry, for one month; Lieut. H. G. Cole, twenty-third intantry, one month's extengion. oe Investigating Dock Facilities. Messrs. Woodward Emery and J. R. Leeson, members of a commission appoint- ed by the legislature of Massachusetts to Inquire into the question of dock and ter- minal facilities and their control by the state, the municipality of by private in- dividuals, who have visited several of the larger cities on the continent and in Eng- land, recently arrived in Hull, England, to pursue their investigations. They were es- corted around the English city by Mr. Gor- don B. Daniels, acting eongul of the United States at Hull, who is well. snown in Wash- ington and an old High School graduate. ——__~~s Patents ANowed. William F. Adams, combined trunk and bed; Jerre B. Elliott and BR. J. Mawhinney, assignors to Wyckoff, Seamans & Benedict, New York, N. Y., typewriting machine at- tachment; Anna C. Havenner, parallel ruler; Hardin B. Litdepage, strap lock; William E. Prall, assignor to W. E. Prall, superheated water motor; Francis Dazen- baker, beehive. A Tour of Inspection. Gen. Craighill, chief of engineers, has gone on a tour of inspecticn of the govern- ment works cn the upper Mississipp! and Missouri rivers. Col. Alexander McKenzie, his chief assistant, is acting as chief of engineers. —_- e-—_____. Government Receipts. National bank notes recelved today for redemption, $157,170. Government receipts— Frcm internal revenue, $305,926; customs, $521,608; miscellaneous, $100,302. ——______ ‘A Monta Stimulus, The first installment of the great mys- tery story, “When the War Was Over,” by Frederick R. Burton, will be published next Monday. Five hundred dollars in gold for the first correct solution. Paruculars in another column, ORDERS ISSUED|OWNERSHIP OF THE FLATS| EUCHARISTIC LEAGUE General Miles Teday Transferred to Washington. GENERAL RUGER 10 GO 10 NEW YORK Col. Corbin Made Adjutant of the Department of the East. A GLANCE AHEAD It was officially announced at the War Department today that Major General Miles is to come to Washington to command the army, and that Major General Ruger will succeed Gen. Miles in command of the de- pariment of the east, with headquarters at New York. Orders to this effect were is- sued this afternoon, and the transfer of stations will be made at the convenience of the two officers concerned, probably early next week. These changes have caused a slight re- arrangement of the adjutant general's de- partment, the orders for which were is- sued today. Col. Thomas M. Vincent, who was on duty at the readquarters of the army during Gen. Schofield’s term, is as- signed to duty in the office of the adjutant general of the army. He will relieve Col. Babcock of charge of the bureau of information. Col. Babcock is assigned to other duty in the adjutant general's office. Col. Samuel Breck is re- lieved from duty at headquarters of the de- partment of the east at New York and as- signed to duty at headquarters of the army in this city, thus continuing his service with Gen. Miles. Lieut. Col. Henry C. Cor- bin, who has been Adjt. Gen. Ruggles’ chief assistant for three years past, is re- lieved from duty in this city and assigned to duty as adjutant of the department of the cast. He is ordered to report to the ecmmending general of that department accordingly. ; = Col. Corbin’s Promoti Col. Corbin's orders are in the nature of a compliment, and are made in gntici- peticn of his promotion to the grade of cciorel. His new assignment is regarded as the most desirable in the adjutant gen- eral’s: department. While pleased at his preferment, Col. Cotbin’s many friends in this city will regret that he has been or- dered away. He came here first with Pres- ident Hayes ir 1877, having accompanied him from Columbus, Ohio. He enjoyed the closest personal relations with President Hayes throughout his administration and up to the time of his death. Prior to coming to Washington Col. Cor- bin had long and arduous service on the frontier in the campaigns against the In- dians. He has taken a prominent part in many public ceremonies in this city since Lis first visit. He assisted in the ceremon- ies attending the unveiling of the Thomas statue, being secretary of the committce of which Gen. Garfield was the chairman. Later, he was prominent in the arrange- ments for the latter’s inauguration as President. He was secretary of the joint congressional committee that arranged for the celebration at Yorktown, Va., and he was special aid to Gen. Beaver, chief marshal of the parade at the inauguration of President Harrison. He subsequently served as chief of staff to Gen. McMahon, grand marshal at Cleveland’s last inaugu- ration. In the natural order of things Col. Corbin, by reason of seniority, will become adjutant general of the army in a few years, and will have about ten years 1o serve in that exalted office. SAYS THEY CANNOT PAY. Wade Hampton’s Report on the Pacifie Railronds. In his annual report, submitted today, Wade Hampton, United States railroad commissioner, says the Pacific railroads simply cannot pay what they owe the gov- ernmert. Their earnings fell off last year at the average rate, he says, of a million a month. The hard times have hurt them even worse than they hurt other railroads in the thickly settled portions of the west. “The results of the past two years,” says the commissioner, “have shown that dur- ing a period of financial and industrial de- pression it would be impossible for the Union Pacific Company to meet the annual fixed charges, in addition to other neces- sary and inevitable expenses of such an amount as would be required to discharge the debt to the United States in fifty years at 3 per cent, as proposed in the Reilly bil, or even 2 per cent. which the representa- tives of the company were understood to be willing to accept. Some regard should be had for such conditions as have existed and which are likely to arise again.” The commissioner says that a cast iron rule as to payments cannot be observed and thinks there should be a flexible ad- justment of annual payments to corre- spend with diminished earnings. Such a law—the Thurman act—is now in force, and, with several amendments he recom- mends, he thinks that this act will be found to justify the expectations of its framers. ——————+2.___ SUGAR BOUNTY CLAIMS, Secretary Carlisle Talks to Ex-Rep- resentative Wilkinson on the Subject. Secretary Carlisle has returned to the city, aad this morning had an interview with ex-Representative Wilkinson of Louts- iara, now collector of customs at New Or- leans, in regard to the pending sugar tounty controversy. Mr. Wilkinson appeal- ed to the Secretary on behalf of the plant- ers on much the same lines as had been cevered by Senators Caffery and Blanchard at their interviews with the Secretary. Mr. Carlisle, however, saw no way in which he eculd render the bounty claimants any as- sistance except possibly by expediting the hearing and decision of the court of claims. This he was willing to do. The controller, he said, had jurisdiction of the matter, and had announced in his decision that he either must decide adversely to the claim- arts or send the case to the court of claims. He had chosen the latter alternative, and he (the Secretary) had no power to overrule him. He was perfectly willing to hear Sen- ator Manderson or any of the other inter- ested parties on the question of the right of the controller to send the case to the court of claims, but further than that he could not take any action. It seems to be the opinion of the treasury officials that the case will remain as at precent, without goirg to the court until Corgress meets in December. ~ MR. ISAAC BASSRTT SICK. The Venerable Senate Official Serious- ly il at His Home. Mr. Isaac Bassett, the venerable assist- ant doorkceper of the Senate, is lying seriously ill at his residence on Capitol Htll. Mr. Bassett returned to the city last Surday from New Lordon, Conn., and since his return his conditicn has become critical. Mr. Bassett is suffering from an aggravated stomach trouble, and his friends are very appreheusive about him. Fis chances of recovery are lessened hy his advanced age. Mr. Bassett is seventy- six years old, and has spent sixty-four years of his life as an employe at the Cap- itol in various positions. A Decision in a Celebrated Case to Be Given Next Monday. The Claims of the Kidwell and Mar- shall Heirs—The Court Makes an Announcement. ‘The announcement was mede in the Court in General Term this morning that the court would next Monday render its de- cisier in what is known as the Potomac flats case. This is the case in which the United States seeks to quiet the titles of some forty odd claimants to lands on the river front between Easby's Point and the arse- nal grounds and in the flats opposite the city. By special act of Congress the case was made a proceeding in equity to quict titles, and the case was assigned by the act to the Court in General Term, in which court it was heard last spring. As told in The Star at the time, the case was argued at great length, the hearing cojitinuing sev- eral weeks. Since then the case has been under consideration by the court (Chief Justice Bingham and Justices Hagner and McComas), and it is understood that the epinion of tke court will be written by Judge Hagner. The prirfcipal claimants ere the Kidweil heirs and the Marshall heirs. The fcrmer claim many acres in t Potomac flats under a grant made in 1869 to the late Dr. Kidwell, and the Marshall heirs claim. the entire river bed and the accretions thereon under alleged colonial grants. The other claimaats asserted title to lots and riparian rights along the river front. It is the general impression about the city hall that the court will decide almost wholly in favor of the government. —.__ DISMISSING MAIL CARRIERS. Result of the Surveillance System in the Service. Yesterday was a day of reckoning in all too many post offices throughout the land. The much-talked-of spy system, which the recent letter carriers’ convengion at Phila- delphia at first denounced. and after Post- master General Wilson's speech in explana- tion of it approved, has gathered its first crop. Two hundred and thirty-five carriers have been visited with dismissal or reduc- tion as penalty for various petty offenses which affected their efficiency for public service. The largest number of penalties was vis- ited upon the Philadelphia carriers. Prob- ably that office was most thoroughly shad- owed by the department...Twenty-one men were dismisséd outright, seventy-nine were reduced to the substitute roll and six were assigned flaces. No dismissals were made in Washington. In the. slang of post offices all over the country they say, “Washington! Oh,Wash- ington is perfect.” And it is doubtless true thai the carrier system here is as nearly what it ought to be as in any place in the jand. Twenty-one carriers were reported fer delinquencies here. Most of the trouble was becatse of loitering. The penalty for the Washnigton carriers was uniformly ten days’ suspension. This, after the hearing in each case, was reduced to an average of two days. The affair was a gentle warn- ins. ————~2—____ A MINING FRANCHISE. The First One Granted to an Ameri- can in Coren. Mr. Sill, United States minister to Corea, has informed the Depariment of State that his Corean-highness has granted a limited mining franchise to Mr. James R. Morse, an American citizen. There have been many attempts at mining and the obtaining of mining frarchises in Corea by people of varicus nationalities. This is the first in- stance in which the right has been formally given over the proper scal. The mines in question ere the richest (by Corean report) in the country, and are in the gold mine district of Uhnsan, which be- longs to the royal family. The district is very mountainous, and is from fifteen to twenty English miles broad and long, situ- ated in Peng Yang province. The azree- ment of Mr. Morse associates him with his majesty’s department of the royal house- hold for the prosecution of this mining work. The minister says that Mr. Morse well deserves the mark of confidence thus re- ceived. He has long been associated with Corea in a business way, much to his cred- it, and for some years h> has acted as Corean commercial agent in New York city. He is president of the American Trading Company of New York, with houses in London, San Francisco, Yokohama, Kobe and Shanghai, with branches in Chemulpo, Corea, and other places. GEN. MAHONE’S CONDITION. No Change Either for Better or for Worse Today. There was no ckange whatever in Gen. Mahone’s condition up to shortly after 2 o'clock this afternoon. He has not con- tinued to progress as the members of hi family had hoped he would, and the physi- cians say that while indications do not point to an immediate dissolution, a fatal relapse may oecur at any time. He was very low during the first part of last night, and at midnight was in an extremely cniti- cal state. He rallied somewhat, however, toward morning, and rested more comfort- ably. In the morning he seemed to have gained a little over his condition twelve hours previous, but was not enough strong- er to greatly encourage those about him. At noon he was able to take a small quan- tity of nourishment, and he could move his left hand a trifle. ° Maryland Militia, Lieut. Niblack, in charge of the naval militia division at the Navy Department, accompanied by H. Kyd Douglas, adjutant general of the.Maryland militia, left Wash- ington today for Baltimore, where they will take passage with Commodore Emerson on his new steam yacht Nydia for Annapolis to witness the mustering in of the new An- a division of the Maryland naval nits —_—____-o.__ An Opening in Egypt. Horace Lee Washington, United States vice consul general at Cairo, in a report to the Department of State, calls attention to th opening in Egypt for American furni- ture. He says the demand is good and re- tail prices of simpler grades are double or treble those ruling in New York, while the duty is but 8 per cent. ——___-e Paymaster Bixcoe’s Order. Mr. Harry E. Biscoe of Michigan, who was recently appointed an assistant pay- master in the navy, has been ordered to the Vermont, at the Brooklyn navy yard, for in- Preparatory to his assignment to ars’ cruise. Assistant Secretary McAdoo Keturns. Assistant Secretary McAdoo resumed his duties at the Navy Department today, after a pleasant sojourn of several weeks at Sara- rec lake, in the Adirondacks. ———— Reported for Examination. Lieut. Nicholas Halpine has reported at the Navy-Department for examination by the retiring board, Pontificial High Mass Celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, ELOQUENT SERMON BY BISHCP KEANE An Elaborate Program of Music Rendered by the Choir. PAPERS TO BE READ ‘The sessions of the great congress of the Eucharistic League began today, following ciose upon the Gedication of McMahon Hall, the important addition to the Catholic University. These two great events in the history of the Catholic Church have brought to Washington many of the lead- ing prelates of the church, dignitaries and priests, to the number of several hundred. The regular meetings of the league for the reading of papers began this after- ncon in the assembly hall of the Catholic University. The papers are for the most pert theological, almost technical in char- acter, and hardly of a sort that would be of general interest. This morning an immerse congregation filled St. Patrick's Church on the occasion of the celebration of solemn pontifical high mass, which inaugurated the congress. The scene within the great edifice was one of surpassing beauty and of the great- est solemnity. Pontifical mass is itself a most impressive ceremony, and was made n.ore than usually co by the charm of the church, which, with its new decorations, made a handsome setting for the gorgeous raiment of the officiating priests. There Was a canopied chair on each side of the great chancel; on the left sat Cardinal Gib- bens, and on tke right Archbishop Satolli. Withir the chancel were all the bishops aad archbishops who are in attendance vpcn the congress and for the meeting of the archbishops, which was held later in the day. The celebrant of the mass this morning was Mar. Satolli. The others who partici- pated were as follows: Assistant priest, Rev. F. Murray, president Mt. St. Mary’s Semirary, Cincinnati, Ohio; deacons #4 tbrorum, Rey. William McKenny, V.G., Jacksonville, Fla.; Very Rev. 8. Fox, V.G., Greenbay, Wis.; deacon of mass, Rev. D. J. McMahon, rector St. Thomas’ Church, New York; subdeacon, Rev. Certelli, pro- fessor St. Paul's Seminary, St. Paul, Minn.; asters of ceremonies, Rev. J. F. McGee, St. Patrick's Church, Washington, D. C.; tev. G. Dougherty, St. Augustine’s Church, Washington, D.C. The music was of a very elaborate char- acter and rendered with a high degree of perfection. The prcgrem was as follows: laudate Dominum, Gregorian; Kyrie and Gloria, Gounod; Veni Creator, solo and qvartet, Shelly; Credo, Gounod; offertory, Ave Maria, with violin obligato, E. Pizzi Sanctus Benedictvs, Gounod; Agnus Det, Heyer. No. 2; Benediction, Saiutaris, Tan- cm Ezgo. Mrs. Paulina Maina sang the Ave Maria at the offertery, snd Mr. Sol. Minster play- ed the siolin obligato. Miss Loulie Boone officiatec at the organ, and the whole musi- cal service was under the direction of Sig. Mariano Maina, the leader of the choir. Bishop Keane’s Sermon, The sermon was delivered by Bishop Keane, recfor of the Catholic University. It was an eloquent address on the purposes and aims of the Eucharistic League and an expositicn of the great religious prin- ciple of the incarnation, the word made flesh. The text was ‘taken from the gospel of St. John, 5: “Henceforth I eull you not servants; fpr the scrvant knoweth not what his Lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all thirgs that I have heard of my Facher I have made known unto you. These words, the bishop said,were spoken at the time when our Lord was about to institute the divine sacrament of the Eu- charist. He knew the value and importance of friendsbip, and He knew that friends as friends stand upon the same level. No matter what his choren followers may have had to do or suffer afterward they could rever forget that Jesus had called them His friends. “Brethren of the Eucharist,” Bishop Keane said, “you are the inheritors of the proud title of friends of the Lord. The fact that you are members of the league is a sign that you appreciate the principle of responsibility and reciprocity; you re- turn love for love. Welcome, thrice wel- come, to the hearts and homes of the Catholics of Washington.” Bishop Keane spoke of the great privi- lege that comes from the right to share in the Eucharist, to enter into friendship with Jesus Christ, but it has, he said, its responsibilities as well. It carries with it the responsibility of unity and sympath; of mind, character, body and soul witi our Lord, the sympathy and oneness of mind, heart, affections and feelings. Yet, it might be asked, what need has the great Lord of sympathy and fellowship with poor, frail, weak human_ beings. The answer is a simple one. There never was the human father to compare in the beauty and perfection of fatherhood with our great Father in heaven, and yet what earthly father does not seek the love and sympathy of his little children? So much more, then, our Heavenly Father. Jesus must be often lonely—nay, more, almost always. He craves the love and confidence of His earthly children more» than the homage of angels and archangels. The Eucharistic League will do its share to increase the willingness on our part to answer to the craving in the heart of our Savior. But the Lord is rot in the blessed sacra- ment simply to receive our homage, but to ferward His work on earth. Nor are we there simply to express our adoration, but to see what we can do to advance His kingdom among men. Nor they that say, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but they that do the will of our Father, they shall enter. There is plenty of work for Christians to do. The way is rot easy, nor is the battle to be won with- out a hard struggle. Satan is hawd at work. He paints in gorgeous colors and makes very attractive the ways that lead to destruction. “What are you doing?” the Lord asks of us. What are we doing to preserve the sancity of the Lord's di to meet the attacks of those who cry for liberty, but are not seeking liberty, but for license. This is but one phase of the - work which Christians must do for their Lord, and the bishop then went on to speak of others. So we must fight against all the powers that are at work to undermine the kingdom of God on earth. The earth is Christ's, not Satan's. The effect of the present congress of the Eucharistic League will be to send the members back to their various homes filled with more zeal and enthusiasm to go on with the good fight for all that will accrue to the glory of the Eucharistic Lord. ‘A list of papers has been prepared to be read at the meetings of the congress, be- ginning this afternoon. After it Is read each paper will be referred to a committee composed of churchmen selected with a view to their fitness for reaching a prac-* tical conclusion upon the ideas set forth in it, and each committee will continue the work upon the lines they may decide upom laying down. Meeting Last Night. A meeting of the directors of the Eu- charistic League was held at the Arno last evening, which was attended by nearly all the members of that body. The business of the meeting was of a secret character, but was confined principally to a discussion of the general features of the congress and